Where to watch NBA Playoffs Orlando Magic vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Wednesday, April 15

The Orlando Magic, ranked eighth in the Eastern Conference with a 45-37 record, face the Philadelphia 76ers, who are seventh in the East with a 45-37 record. Philadelphia is favored with a -125 moneyline compared to Orlando's +105. The game is part of the Play-In Tournament.

  • Date: Wednesday, April 15

  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT

  • Where: Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • TV Channels: Amazon Prime

  • Live Stream:NBA League Pass | Follow on Yahoo Sports

  • Orlando Magic: 45-37 (eighth in Eastern Conference)

  • Philadelphia 76ers: 45-37 (seventh in Eastern Conference)

  • Spread: Philadelphia 76ers -1.5

  • Moneyline: Philadelphia 76ers -125 / Orlando Magic +105

  • Over/Under: 224.5

Blackhawks Netminder Ranked Among NHL's Best Goalie Prospects

In a recent article for The Athletic, Scott Wheeler ranked the top 20 NHL-drafted goalie prospects. A Chicago Blackhawks prospect made the cut, as Drew Commesso was given the No. 18 spot. 

Commesso is a goaltender who the Blackhawks are certainly hoping will become a solid part of their future, as he has good upside. The 2020 second-round pick is continuing to work on his development and has shown promise. 

Commesso has played in 36 games with the Rockford IceHogs this season, where he has a 13-19-2 record, a .903 save percentage, and a 3.00 goals-against average. This is after he had an 18-15-4 record, a .911 save percentage, a 2.54 goals-against average, and four shutouts for Rockford in 2024-25. With this, he has certainly been solid at the AHL level. 

However, more importantly, Commesso played very well when given the chance to play for the Blackhawks this season. In three games for Chicago this campaign, he has a 2-1-0 record, a .918 save percentage, and a 2.31 goals-against average. He also notably had a 36-save shutout against the Nashville Predators on Jan. 10. Furthermore, in his most recent appearance for Chicago on March 9 against the Utah Mammoth, he stopped 23 out of 25 shots. 

With this, Commesso certainly has the potential to become a good part of the Blackhawks' roster in the future. He should see more NHL action next season because of it. 

Jesper Wallstedt is giving the playoff-bound Wild a boost in goal, no matter how his name is spelled

Jesper Wallstedt

Apr 14, 2026; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt (30) defends the net against the Anaheim Ducks in the third period at Grand Casino Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

Matt Blewett/Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Jesper Wallstedt let in a goal on a power play against the Minnesota Wild in the first period, looked up at the scoreboard to quickly analyze the replay, and realized something wasn’t right.

The name on the back of his green jersey was misspelled: W-a-l-l-s-t-e-a-d.

“An April Fool’s joke,” Wallstedt said after beating the Anaheim Ducks, “but a little late.”

So he’s sure this was a classic rookie prank and not an honest manufacturing mistake?

“Yeah, 100%. I don’t know exactly who it is, but obviously I have a feeling of who it could be,” said Wallstedt, suggesting fellow goalie Filip Gustavsson was the culprit.

When Marc-Andre Fleury retired last spring, he left behind quite the legacy as a prankster. Though Fleury turned over the net to Gustavsson and Wallstedt on the ice, the 41-year-old with the second-most wins in NHL history has stayed around the team this season as a practice goalie and with an informal front office role as a player development advisor.

Was it possible Fleury found his way in on the joke too?

“Oh, I didn’t think that Flower could be involved,” Wallstedt said. “Then I definitely think it’s a team job. Well done for them. Yeah, I’d rather take it that way than having my car on cinder blocks or something. I’d rather have my name a little misspelled.”

For the record, Wallstedt had his proper spelling restored for the second period. He had 34 saves in the 3-2 win over the Ducks and finished his rookie season 18-9-6 with the NHL’s second-best save percentage (.915).

“I hope they threw that nameplate away,” Wallstedt said. “I have no idea where it went.”

Since starting his career 8-0-2 with four shutouts, Wallstedt has continued to give the Wild confidence in their tandem of Swedish Olympians — and a decision to make with the playoffs approaching.

Gustavsson has more experience and enjoyed plenty of strong stretches this season, but he’s only 2-4 in his last six starts with 25 goals allowed. Wallstedt might have forced his way into some type of rotation in the first-round series against the Dallas Stars.

“I like the way I’ve been playing lately, especially after the Olympics. I thought I was in a good spot going into the Olympics, too,” Wallstedt said. “Obviously I was a little bit bummed that I didn’t get to play anything there, and maybe that gave some extra motivation for the games after. And ever since, I’ve felt like I’ve been in a good spot and given our team a good chance to win.”

Cubs at Phillies Prediction: Odds, recent stats, trends, and best bets for April 15

The Chicago Cubs (8-9) take on the Philadelphia Phillies (8-9) in the final matchup of a three-game series. The Cubs won yesterday, 10-4 after the Phillies won the opening game, 13-7.

Chicago evened up the series with a 10-4 win yesterday in a series that has featured 34 total runs! The Cubs are now 4-4 on the road this season and scored 43 total runs (10th-most) with the seventh-best batting average (.247). Chicago is back at home versus the Mets this weekend with three day games on tap.

Philadelphia is now 2-2 in the last four games and 2-5 in the last seven games. The Phillies are 5-6 at home and own and the third-worst ERA (5.25) and allow the third-highest opponent batting average (.274). Offensively, the Phillies are tied for the third-most home runs hit at home (14), but are 18th in batting average (.241). Philadelphia hosts Atlanta this weekend for a three-game set before going to Chicago to face the Cubs again.

Lets dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two.

We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.

Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long.

Game details & how to watch Cubs at Phillies

  • Date: Wednesday, April 14, 2026
  • Time: 6:40 PM EST
  • Site: Citizens Bank Park 
  • City: Philadelphia, PA
  • Network/Streaming: ESPN

Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out.

Odds for the Cubs at the Phillies

The latest odds as of Wednesday:

  • Moneyline: Chicago Cubs (+119), Philadelphia Phillies (-143)
  • Spread: Cubs +1.5 (-175), Phillies -1.5 (+144)
  • Total: 8.5

Probable starting pitchers for Cubs at Phillies

  • Wednesday's pitching matchup (April 15): Jesus Luzardo vs. Shota Imanaga
  • Cubs: Shota Imanaga 

2026 stats: 16.0 IP, 0-1, 2.81 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 20 Ks, 4 BB

  • Phillies: Jesus Luzardo 

2026 Stats: 17.1 IP, 1-2, 6.23 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 26 Ks, 4 BB

Who’s Hot? Who’s Not!

  • The Phillies’ Bryce Harper is hitting .258 with 16 hits and 30 total bases over 62 at-bats
  • The Phillies’ Alec Bohm is hitting .153 with nine hits and 12 strikeouts over 59 at-bats
  • The Cubs’ Nico Hoerner is hitting .303 with 20 hits and 30 total bases over 66 at-bats
  • The Cubs’ Michael Busch is hitting .161 with nine hits, 13 strikeouts, and nine walks over 56 at-bats

Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type!

Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Cubs at Phillies

  • The Cubs are 6-11 ATS this season
  • The Phillies are an MLB-worst 4-13 ATS this season
  • The Cubs are 10-6-1 to the Over this season
  • The Phillies are 9-7-1 to the Over this season

If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports!

Expert picks & predictions for tonight’s game between the Cubs and the Phillies

Rotoworld Bet Best Bet

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Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts.

Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.

Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Wednesday's game between the Cubs and the Phillies.

  • Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Cubs on the Moneyline.
  • Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Cubs at +1.5.
  • Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Under on the Game Total of 8.5

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Where to watch New York Mets vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: Live stream, start time, TV channel, odds for Wednesday, April 15

Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to be on the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers as they attempt to sweep a three-game series from the New York Mets. The Dogers won Tuesday’s game 2-1, handing the Mets their seventh straight loss. Clay Holmes is scheduled to start for the Mets.

  • New York Mets: 7-11 (No. 5 in NL East)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers: 13-4 (No. 1 in NL West)

  • Spread: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5

  • Moneyline: Los Angeles Dodgers -235 (67.0%) / New York Mets +190 (33.0%)

  • Over/Under: 8.0

New York Mets: Clay Holmes (2-1, ERA: 1.50, K: 12, WHIP: 1.11)
Los Angeles Dodgers: Shohei Ohtani (1-0, ERA: 0.00, K: 8, WHIP: 0.75)

Weather: 68°F at first pitch

Ballpark: Capacity: 56,000 | Roof: Open | Surface: Grass

Rangers reliever Luis Curvelo hurt while delivering a wild pitch against the Athletics

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Texas reliever Luis Curvelo appeared to injure his throwing arm while delivering a wild pitch in the seventh inning of a game against the Athletics.

Curvelo’s pitch to right-handed batter Jacob Wilson sailed well left of the left-handed batter’s box and to the backstop.

As the 25-year-old, Venezuelan righty released the ball, he skipped off the mound in apparent pain, pulled his left hand immediately out of his glove and waved at the dugout in an apparent signal for a trainer while letting his glove drop to the ground.

Curvelo did not throw another pitch and was replaced by Tyler Alexander.

The Rangers did not immediately provide an injury update.

When a trainer arrived at the mound, Curvelo briefly touched his upper right arm with his left hand before walking to the dugout with a pained expression on his face.

Curvelo, who was called up from Triple-A Round Rock on April 5, faced only Wilson while appearing in his fourth game this season.

In his previous three appearances for the Rangers this season, Curvelo had allowed six hits and three earned runs in five innings while also striking out three batters.

Don’t forget, the Magic were in on Paul George

It’s fun to play the “What if…” game sometimes in sports. Sometimes, certain scenarios are worth remembering in the event of future transactions that would serve as a reminder of one team’s initial interest in a particular player. If for nothing else, it creates some fun dialogue amongst fans.

As we prepare for Philadelphia’s clash with Orlando Wednesday night at Xfinity Mobile Arena, let’s rewind about two years to the summer of 2024. It was then that Paul George opted to walk right into the massive amount of cap space Daryl Morey had to negotiate with after finally being done with Tobias Harris and his huge contract. Do you remember who the reported runner-up to the Sixers in the George sweepstakes? In case you forgot, we wouldn’t blame you, but it was the Orlando Magic. 

Orlando, not often thought of as a top free-agent destination in the NBA, was coming off a loss in the first round to Cleveland in seven games at the time. Rewind two more years and the Magic were busy drafting Paolo Banchero first overall in the 2022 draft and it didn’t take long for the Magic to ascend into postseason play. George was likely thought of as a veteran that still had some juice left to help Banchero and the rest of Orlando’s younger players mature while also helping them on the court in an effort to rise up to a higher position in the East.

Well, we know what happened and George picked Philly and barring an upset of either Boston or Detroit in the first round this year, the Sixers are going to go the first two years of George’s contract without winning a playoff series with George on the roster.  Orlando has stayed in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference’s playoff seeds in the last two years without George and will have to figure out a different way to get out of NBA purgatory.

But what would the Sixers have done if George picked Orlando? Well, it seemed like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who ironically ended up in Orlando, would have been their next target. Caldwell-Pope didn’t get anywhere near the money that George got in the summer of 2024, and he also got one less year on his contract, but his three-year, $66 million contract flopped quickly for the Magic and they flipped him to Memphis last summer. The trade certainly came at a cost for Orlando who decided to add Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks and a 2029 first-round pick swap to bring in Desmond Bane from the Grizzlies.

It was certainly an understandable pivot from a Magic team looking to maximize every season they have Banchero under contract for, but think about if the Sixers were in that position. Philly already has outgoing first-round pick debts to Oklahoma City and Brooklyn that have not been paid. It simply would not have been possible for the Sixers to shed the final two years of a hefty deal to Caldwell-Pope while still adding a player like Bane to improve their chances of contending.

So, what would the Sixers have done with the rest of the money they would have saved from not signing George had they brought in Caldwell-Pope? It’s possible they would have just given more of it to Caleb Martin. Morey ended up landing Martin anyway, and then trading him in his first season with the Sixers.

Somehow, we have now landed in a world in which it was better to simply sign George than pivot to such alternatives that would have likely made the 2024-25 season even worse. Granted, the Sixers were able to survive all the losing last season by keeping their first-rounder and delaying the debt to Oklahoma City and drafting VJ Edgecombe. But just when you thought last season couldn’t have possibly gone worse, there’s a scenario in which it just might have and all it would have taken was George to have picked Orlando instead of Philadelphia.

To revisit an aforementioned point, maybe the Magic have seen the resurgence from George after his suspension this season. Perhaps it has served as a reminder for the Orlando brass of the player they thought they could get two years ago. Would the Magic possibly be interested in engaging with the Sixers and taking the final two years of George’s contract? It’s at least food for thought.

Coby White went nuclear for the Charlotte Hornets in last night’s Play-In Game

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 14: Coby White #3 of the Charlotte Hornets shoots the ball over Pelle Larsson #9 of the Miami Heat late in the second half during their game at Spectrum Center on April 14, 2026 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Charlotte Hornets swinging a trade-deadline deal with the Chicago Bulls to bring Coby White back to his home state was immediately both an obviously great basketball move and a feel-good story, doubly so for those of us who are UNC fans. White, who of course spent one memorable year at UNC in 2019, added the kind of backup ballhandler that the Hornets had desperately needed throughout the first half of the season while seamlessly fitting with the team’s bombs-away approach from three-point range. He took a few games to get going after recovering from a minor injury, but by the end of the season, he was clearly an upgrade to the roster, averaging 18 points on 48/38/90 splits, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists in 21 minutes per game over the Hornets’ last 10 games. As both a microwave scorer and secondary point guard, he looked like exactly what they needed as they won 7 of their last 10 and made the postseason for the first time in four years. And who better to have on your team for the Play-In Tournament than the guy who, two years ago, put up 42 in a Play-In game?

I’m still not sure anybody saw coming what he would do next. The Hornets and Miami Heat were in a back-and-forth affair all Tuesday night, and White had been stifled for the first half and most of the third quarter. With 2 minutes left in the quarter, the Heat were up 1 after the Hornets had chipped away at a five-point lead. White took the ball up the key, went around a Ryan Kalkbrenner screen, and banked in a left-wing pull-up three. It wasn’t pretty, but it seemed to give him the mojo he needed. Two possessions later, the Heat’s Pelle Larson tripped over himself in the backcourt and lost the ball into White’s hands. He might have had a pass inside, but he decided to pull up from the top of the key instead: splash. The next possession, he beat Simone Fontecchio off the dribble and finished at the rim, and then finished his flurry with a buzzer-beating catch-and-shoot three that ended the quarter. In two minutes, he’d gone on an 11-4 run against Miami that put his team up 6. I wish I had a video of all four plays, but here’s the last two:

For a lot of players, in a lot of games, that stretch would be the most noteworthy highlight they had. Not Coby White, not on this night. The Heat clawed back that deficit pretty early in the 4th and took as much as a 4-point lead with under 30 seconds to go. Charlotte’s Brandon Miller hit a 3, which made it possible for the Hornets to tie it after the Heat converted two free throws with 14 seconds left. And then Coby White did this:

It was a fantastic bit of awareness by both him and the Charlotte coaching staff that a shot would have to go up immediately so that Miami couldn’t foul to both waste time and eventually force the Hornets into shooting 2 when they needed 3, and it’s also an obviously incredibly high degree-of-difficulty shot. But that kind of gamer is who Coby White has always been. The Hornets got the last stop they needed in regulation and ended up winning an exciting overtime, and White finished with a line of 19 points including 5/8 shooting from three, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals, recording a team-high plus-minus of +21 in a one-point game.

It is undeniably awesome to see Coby White back in the state where he set high school basketball records and led his college team to one of its most exciting regular seasons in recent memory, and still making incredible plays like he always has. The Hornets have been one of the NBA’s biggest success stories this year, turning around from multiple years of absolute futility, and on Tuesday night, he gave them exactly what they needed to not have that story cut short. He and Charlotte will be back in action on Friday as they try to put North Carolina’s professional team in the actual playoffs for the first time in a decade. Even if you’re not a Hornets or even an NBA fan, I assure you that Coby White remains just as fun to watch as you remember.

2026 Cubs Heroes and Goats: Game 17

Reminder: I’m on vacation all this week and will be a little briefer than usual this week. Thanks for your patience.

The Cubs can’t quite get momentum going. But they are also staying away from a prolonged skid. They’re treading water in the early going while they try to get as much of the team pointed in the right direction as possible. It’s pretty unheard of for any team to get everyone producing in any sustained way across the whole roster. You just try to keep enough guys grooved in to continually win six or seven out of 10 games. The Cubs haven’t had a stretch like that yet. I’d be stunned though if they don’t get onto that kind of run.

Right at the very second I’m typing this, more than half the league is within two games one side or the other of .500. Only eight are three or more games away from .500. Half of those eight reside in the NL West where there are two teams off to very good starts, including the two-time defending champions who own the best record in the league. The West also contains two teams off to terrible starts.

Things are so bizarre right now that the Astros entered play Tuesday with the most runs scored but occupying last place in the AL West. One of the biggest problems of April baseball is that the bad teams often don’t just accept at face value that they are locked in to being bad. Most of the teams think if they catch a few breaks, that they have a chance to hang in the race. These teams will sort themselves out. But it’s going to take some time.

Increasingly, I think the early goal is to just not play yourself out of the race. The Cubs are a whopping two games out of first place behind the Reds and Pirates. If you believe that is in any way insurmountable, you are kidding yourself. This hasn’t been a glamorous start, but the Cubs could potentially take control of the division with one good stretch of baseball.

The Cubs have scored 42 runs over their last seven games. If we drop the top and bottom scores from that data set, it’s 32 runs over five games. The offense is warming up. I’m sure that has nothing at all to do with Alex Bregman starting to find some gaps with what has been pretty consistent solid contact this year. Unsurprisingly, I think this team can still be elite. Their going to need to sort out and probably add some pitching both internally and externally. But this team has pretty consistently been able to do that in season, so I’m optimistic.

Three Positives:

  • Alex Bregman, three hits and three runs driven in.
  • Michael Busch, two hits and two walks. Need that bat to get going.
  • Nico Hoerner, two hits and three runs driven in. He’s been the most used leadoff hitter and also leads the team in RBI.

Honorable mentions to so many guys, but hat tip to Colin Rea for a “quality start.” He was the bulk guy and allowed three runs over six innings.

Game 17, April 14: Cubs 10, Phillies 4 (8-9)

Reminder: Heroes and Goats are determined by WPA scores and are in no way subjective.

THREE HEROES:

  • Superhero: Alex Bregman (.210). 3-5, 3 RBI
  • Hero: Nico Hoerner (.157). 2-6, 3 RBI
  • Sidekick: Dansby Swanson (.118). 0-3, 2 BB, 2 R

THREE GOATS:

  • Billy Goat: Seiya Suzuki (-.180). 1-5, R
  • Goat: Jacob Webb (-.049). 0.1 IP, 3 BF, 2 H, 0 BB, ER, 0 K
  • Kid: Carson Kelly (-.049). 2-4, HR, BB, 3 RBI, 2 R, DP

WPA Play of the Game: Edmundo Sosa’s three-run homer with two outs in the second for the first three runs of the game. (.238)

*Cubs Play of the Game: Nico Hoerner’s two-run single with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth gave the Cubs a two run lead. (.191)

Cubs Player of the Game:

Game 16 Winner: Dansby Swanson received 74 of 104 votes.

Up Next: The Cubs close out the series in Philly before getting an off day. Shōta Imanaga (0-1, 2.81, 16 IP) starts for the Cubs. Jesús Luzardo (1-2, 6.23, 17.1 IP) starts for the Phillies. The Cubs have fared worse against lefty starters the last year plus. But Luzardo has already had starts where he’s allowed five and six runs in the early going. The one good start (1 ER) was at Colorado. The two bad ones were in Philly.

Win a series.

Early Starts for the NL East

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 12: Dominic Smith #8 of the Atlanta Braves reacts after hitting a two run home run during the fourth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Truist Park on April 12, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) | Getty Images

We spend all season covering the Phillies, their strengths, weaknesses, and storylines that will make up their season.

What isn’t always discussed is how other teams are doing, especially the teams around them, that can dictate how their season could play out.

The general theory for this series is that if you want to cover the 2026 Phillies properly, you have to cover what is around them as well.

The National League East is in a weird and fun state. The Braves are betting that 2025 was a fluke, the Nationals have begun a full-scale rebuild, the Marlins surprised people last year and might be ahead of schedule, and the New York Mets had as crazy an off-season as anyone can remember.

Atlanta Braves are full of surprises

The Braves are looking to prove their disastrous 2025 season was because of injuries and bad luck, not anything to worry about long-term. They carry themselves like a World Series contender but haven’t won the division the or a single playoff game in the last two seasons.

The off-season Spring training injuries also seemed like a death sentence for them. Ha-Seong Kim broke a finger tendon ice skating, Spencer Schwellenbach and Hurston Waldrep needed elbow surgery, Joey Wentz tore his ACL, and Spencer Strider strained his oblique. This is on top of Sean Murphy and Joe Jiménez missing the beginning of 2026 because of injuries from last season.

So if you mention all of that, then add on that the first 17 games have seen Ronald Acuña Jr. looking mostly mediocre and Austin Riley ice cold, it would make for an ugly start to the Braves season right?

Not so fast, they’re 10-7 with one of the best offenses in baseball, ranking third in wRC+, second in batting average, and second in slugging. The starting pitching has been ok outside of Bryce Elder, but the offense has slugged their way to first place early on.

Matt Olson and Drake Baldwin are leading the way as expected but they’ve gotten several role players to play key roles early on. Dominic Smith, someone who wasn’t supposed to make the team until Jurickson Profar got suspended, is hitting .353 with a 1.025 OPS.

Mauricio Dubon, acquired from the Houston Astros for Nick Allen, is hitting .339 with a .923 OPS. Jorge Mateo has generated offense when he’s gotten chances off the bench and so has Kyle Farmer.

So, as some of the stars have struggled, Acuña with a 104 OPS+ and Riley at 72, they’ve seen almost every other role player carry the weight.

While this is not going to last for them over 162 games, Dubon and Smith aren’t going to win batting titles or MVP trophies, there are still reasons to believe they can maintain the hot start at the plate.

Acuña and Riley will get going, Sean Murphy was set to begin his rehab assignment yesterday, and Ha-Seong Kim could be back in the middle of May. They should be good for reinforcements as some of the role players cool off.

While the results haven’t been there for Michael Harris II, there is a good process going on. It’s a small sample size but his barrel rate has increased by 7.2% and he is hitting the ball a lot harder. He was considered the Braves big lineup X-factor coming into the season and there are good signs for a rebound 2026.

The pitching staff is a different question mark. The leverage arms in Raisel Iglesias and Robert Suarez have looked good but the starting pitching staff looks depleted because of the injuries. Adding Strider back should help but Bryce Elder probably won’t hold up a 1.03 ERA the entire year.

The Marlins can hit?

Going into the season, it seemed like the Marlins profiled as a pesky offense at best with a strong pitching staff. However, baseball can get weird.

Jakob Marsee hasn’t broken out yet like Marlins fans have hoped for but there have been others. Owen Caissie looks like a strong get from the Cubs early on with a .822 OPS, Otto Lopez and Xavier Edwards have looked great up the middle, and Connor Norby is off to a hot start.

The pitching staff has been weird. Sandy Alcantara looks like a front-line starter again with more than a full year removed from elbow surgery but the rest hasn’t been great. Eury Pérez is walking too many hitters, Janson Junk and Max Meyer have looked fine in the middle of their rotation and Chris Paddack is bad.

The bullpen has been weird, too. Pete Fairbanks and Anthony Bender haven’t looked great as leverage guys but John King has looked great in five scoreless innings. Again, it’s still mid-April.

Given some of the unsustainable nature of their offensive results and how the pitching staff has looked, it might look more like a fun early season story than something bigger.

Nationals Rebuild

Griff McGarry did not make the Nationals but Joey Wiemer did and he’s hitting .364 with a 1.068 OPS. Their pitching staff is a mess but James Wood looks like a star.

As the season goes on, it will be more important for the Nationals to figure out who can be flipped to help the future or who can be building blocks for the next run.

CJ Abrams looks more like a piece that gets moved at the deadline. He’s only 25 but has already spent over three seasons in the big leagues. If he can sort of keep up his 191 OPS+ start, he could look like a nice player on a better team.

It’s early and I think the Mets are going to be good… however…

Francisco Lindor needed hamate surgery and has a .541 OPS to begin the year. Bo Bichette is playing a new position and it’s probably part of why he has a .569 OPS. Polanco has been battling an Achilles injury and can only DH. He’s at a .571 OPS. Juan Soto is hurt.

The Mets offense is going through it right now. Carson Benge cannot hit velocity now, Brett Baty is cold, Marcus Semien is cold.

Here is a better way to phrase it, if you’re not Francisco Alvarez and Luis Robert Jr, you’re either hurt or not hitting.

The pitching side hasn’t been amazing either in their 7-10 start. Freddy Peralta has given up some homers, David Peterson has looked bad, and Kodai Senga had a disaster start against the Cardinals. Luke Weaver has looked bad out of the bullpen and they called up Craig Kimbrel a few days ago. It’s not looking great.

This could be the low point of the Mets season. If it came in mid-June after a good two months, is anyone seriously talking about it? Who knows.

However, they play the Dodgers two more times and then the Cubs for three games. This start could get a bit uglier if things don’t pick up.

Given some of the stakes for them after missing the playoffs last season and having a demanding owner, they might want things to get better sooner rather than later.

Astros Prospect Report: April 14th

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 19, 2026: Joseph Sullivan #19 of the Houston Astros bats during the second inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the Miami Marlins at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 19, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty Images

Another day of minor league baseball is in the books. See the results below.

AAA: Sugar Land Space Cowboys (10-6) lost 8-3 (BOX SCORE)

Sugar Land got on the board in the first inning on a Biggio bases loaded walk. Mancini started for Sugar Land but struggled with command as he walked four and allowed three runs over 2.1 innings, despite not allowing a hit. In the 3rd inning, Alexander connected on a 2 run home run. The bullpen allowed 5 runs with the Bees extending their lead and the offense was unable to come back as they fell 8-3.

Note: Winkler is hitting .291 this season.


AA: Corpus Christi Hooks (5-5) won 8-4 (BOX SCORE)

Nezuh started for the Hooks but struggled a bit allowing 2 runs over 2.2 innings. the offense got on the board in the 3rd inning scoring 4 runs on an Encarnacion RBI single, Sullivan RBI single and Janek 2 run single. They got another in the 5th on a Janek RBI double. In the 8th, the offense got 3 more on an Austin 2 run home run and Sullivan RBI triple. The pen was solid allowing 2 runs over 6.1 innings as they closed out the 8-4 win.

Note: Bush has a .943 OPS this season.


A+: Asheville Tourists (3-7) lost 16-6 (BOX SCORE)

Rodriguez started for Asheville but struggled allowing 6 runs over 2.1 innings. He was relieved by Cruz who allowed 5 runs over 1.2 innings. The Asheville offense got on the board in 4th inning scoring 4 runs on Brutcher and Holy RBI singles and a Rosario 2 run HR. They got another in the 5th on another Brutcher RBI single and then one more in the 6th on a Schiavone bases loaded walk. The pen allowed another 5 runs and the offense was unable to complete the comeback as they fell 16-6.

Note: Brutcher is hitting .381 this season.


A: Fayetteville Woodpeckers (2-8) lost 4-2 (BOX SCORE)

Beck got the start but struggled out of the gate allowing 4 runs over 3 innings of work. The Woodpeckers got a run in the 4th on a Monistere solo HR. Verdugo was solid in relief tossing 4 scoreless innings. In the 9th, Sierra connected on a solo HR but that was it from the offense as the Woodpeckers fell 4-2.

Note: Siera has a .916 OPS this season.


Today’s minor league starters:

SL: TBD – 7:35 CT

CC: Bryce Mayer – 6:35 CT

AV: TBD – 5:30 CT

FV: TBD – 6:05 CT

Line Combinations: Red Wings at Panthers

The 100th season of the Detroit Red Wings comes to a close on Wednesday as they take on the defending back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

It has been an emotional year for Red Wings fans, as the team will miss the playoffs for a tenth straight season, and in especially heartbreaking fashion.

Turning the page will not be easy for Detroit fans, but it will be necessary. Even if it is not what many want to hear, the future remains bright, and there will be glimpses of it on display in Sunrise.

Rookies Emmitt Finnie and Axel Sandin-Pellikka will look to finish their first NHL seasons on a strong note, while recent call-ups Carter Mazur and Michael Brandsegg-Nygård aim to make lasting impressions as they push to secure full-time roster spots next season.

Pending free agents and veteran players in Patrick Kane, James van Riemsdyk, and David Perron are also looking to make an impact as they head toward potential new contracts this July.

Although the Red Wings are out of the playoff race, this game still carries significance for the future of the franchise.

Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest newsgame-day coverage, and player features

Detroit Red Wings’ Expected Line Combinations vs Tampa Bay (Monday)

Finnie – Larkin – Raymond

DeBrincat – Copp – Kane

Mazur – Compher – Perron

van Riemsdyk - Kasper - Brandsegg-Nygård

Edvinsson – Seider

Chiarot – Faulk

Johansson - Sandin-Pellikka

Gibson

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Chants of ‘1 more year’ follow Alex Ovechkin off the ice as retirement decision looms

Alex Ovechkin

Apr 14, 2026; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) salutes the fans as he leaves the ice after the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images

Russell LaBounty/Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Alex Ovechkin hasn’t decided if his final NHL game already happened.

If it did, the Russian superstar made sure he got on the scoresheet.

Ovechkin assisted on Jakob Chychrun’s go-ahead goal during the third period of the Washington Capitals’ 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“It’s pretty cool. We tried to win, and we tried to finish the season on a good note,” he said.

Ovechkin — who led the Capitals to the Stanley Cup in 2018 — is in the final season of his contract. He has continued to reiterate that he will take some time to ponder if he will retire after 21 seasons and 1,573 regular-season games.

“I’m going to stay a little bit in D.C. I don’t know when we’re going to fly (back to Russia). ... I’ll talk with Carbs (coach Spencer Carbery), CP (general manager Chris Patrick), my family and go from there,” Ovechkin said during his 3-minute postgame remarks.

A large contingent of Capitals fans made the trip to Columbus and chanted “One more year” and “Ovi! Ovi!” during the final minute. He also got a standing ovation as he left the ice.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen. The fans who came here from D.C. and different spots to watch the game which was very nice,” Ovechkin said. “I could hear them cheering for me and screaming one more year.”

Ovechkin was on the ice for final 1:49 after the Blue Jackets pulled their goalie. His teammates tried to get him the puck for one final goal, but he was unable to control the puck when he had a clean look at the empty net.

“I wanted him maybe if this is it, to ice it with one more empty net. He had a good look at it. The puck just was rolling,” Carbery said.

If Ovechkin’s final game was against the Blue Jackets, it would be fitting. His NHL debut came on Oct. 5, 2005, against Columbus where he scored the first two of his record-setting 929 goals.

Washington got its third power play after Columbus’ Miles Wood was sent off for high sticking at 14:06 of the third period. Ovechkin had a couple chances for his favorite spot inside the left faceoff circle, but Blue Jackets’ goaltender Jet Greaves was able to make a great save on the first attempt.

The Capitals took the lead with 4:07 remaining on Chychrun’s shot from the slot. Ovechkin got the second assist, his 32nd of the season.

“It’s an honor. I think we all are trying to soak up everything we can all the time we have with him. We don’t know what’s in store, but it’s special to have these memories with him,” Chychrun said. “We all know what he does out there on the ice, but getting to know him off the ice has been even more special.”

On his opening shift, Ovechkin became the fifth player age 40 or older in NHL history to play in all 82 regular-season games. The last person to do it was Jaromir Jagr with the Florida Panthers in 2016-17. The others were Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom (2010-11), Anaheim’s Teemu Selanne (2011-12) and Tampa Bay’s Dave Andreychuk (2003-04). Jagr also did it with the New Jersey Devils in 2013-14.

It was the fifth time in 21 seasons Ovechkin has not missed a regular-season game.

Ovechkin led the Capitals this season with 32 goals and 64 points. He ended the season with a point in three straight games with one goal and two assists.

Washington finished two points shy of a playoff spot, the fifth time it has failed to reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs since Ovechkin was the top pick in 2004.

For those hoping Ovechkin goes at least one more year, he did leave a glimmer of hope.

“I hope it’s not my last game. I don’t know how exactly it’s going to happen, so we’ll see,” he said.

Alex Ovechkin weighs NHL retirement: 'Hope it's not my last game'

Alex Ovechkin's 21st NHL season ended on Tuesday, April 14, when the Washington Capitals were officially eliminated from the Stanley Cup playoffs. Now, all anyone wants to know is whether this will be the end to Ovechkin's NHL career.

Immediately after Tuesday's regular season finale, the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer sounded open to scoring more goals and coming back for a 22nd season.

"I hope it’s not my last game," Ovechkin told reporters after the Capitals' 2-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday, April 14.

Ovechkin, 40, reiterated his ultimate decision to continue playing in the NHL will occur this offseason, beginning with meetings after the season with coach Spencer Carbury, the Capitals' front office and owner Ted Leonsis. Ovechkin just completed the final season of a five-year, $47.5-million contract that he signed in 2021.

He told former Capitals teammate, T.J. Oshie during an ESPN interview before Tuesday's game, "It's going to be not an easy decision. Sometimes you want it, sometimes you don't."

This is the first time since 2023, and just the fifth time in Ovechkin's career, that the Capitals did not qualify for the NHL's postseason. Though Tuesday's finale had no playoff implications by the time the puck was dropped, Capitals fans in attendance in Columbus, Ohio in case it was Ovechkin's final game chanted, "One more year," and "O-Vi."

Ovechkin waved off the Pittsburgh Penguins when they attempted to do a postgame handshake line to honor their rival after the Capitals' home finale on Sunday, April 12.

"I don’t know what’s going to happen," Ovechkin told reporters on Tuesday, according to NHL.com. "The fans that came here from D.C. and from different spots to watch the game, it was very nice. I can hear their cheering for me and scream 'One more year!' So, that’s important, too. It shows lots of respect. So, thanks for the support."

Ovechkin appeared in all 82 games this season and once again led Washington with 32 goals and 64 points.

Carbury said there was a discussion in the Capitals' locker room Tuesday after the game about Ovechkin's uncertain future, but declined to discuss the details. Longtime teammate Tom Wilson got emotional while explaining Ovechkin has kept everyone in the dark at this point.

"He's doing his best job just to keep it normal," Wilson said. "He definitely doesn't want any extra attention. I mean, he's the man. However he wants to do it, I think he's going to let it go down. But right now, he's not tipping us. He's not telling us what's going on."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alex Ovechkin unsure about NHL retirement after Capitals finale

MLB Predictions and Moneyline Picks for Wednesday, April 15

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It’s Jackie Robinson Day across MLB, and with 15 matchups on the slate, every team takes the field carrying that history, wearing #42 in tribute as we reflect on his impact on and off the diamond.

As the league honors his legacy, we’re breaking down all of the action with our moneyline MLB picks for each matchup by blending today’s action with a nod to one of the most important figures in sports history.

MLB moneyline picks for April 15

MatchupPick
Diamondbacks Diamondbacks
vs
Orioles Orioles
Orioles
-151
Guardians Guardians
vs
Cardinals Cardinals
Guardians
-102
Red Sox Red Sox
vs
Twins Twins
Twins
+113
Royals Royals
vs
Tigers Tigers
Tigers
-126
Nationals Nationals
vs
Pirates Pirates
Pirates
-178
Giants Giants
vs
Reds Reds
Reds
-102
Cubs Cubs
vs
Phillies Phillies
Cubs
+124
Angels Angels
vs
Yankees Yankees
Angels
+167
Marlins Marlins
vs
Braves Braves
Braves
-167
Rays Rays
vs
White Sox White Sox
Rays
-113
Blue Jays Blue Jays
vs
Brewers Brewers
Blue Jays
-118
Rockies Rockies
vs
Astros Astros
Astros
-179
Mariners Mariners
vs
Padres Padres
Padres
-109
Rangers Rangers
vs
Athletics Athletics
Rangers
+108
Mets Mets
vs
Dodgers Dodgers
Dodgers
-208

Prices courtesy of Polymarket as of 4-15.

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Expert MLB moneyline picks for April 15

Diamondbacks vs Orioles: Orioles (-151)

Orioles win probability: 59%

The Baltimore Orioles lineup is built to apply pressure from top to bottom, blending power with on-base ability. When they’re clicking, they force opposing pitchers into high-stress innings early, which can neutralize the Arizona Diamondbacks' rhythm on the mound.

The Orioles getting traffic on the bases can help their ability to string together extra-base hits, which becomes a major difference-maker.

Defensively, the Orioles also have the edge in terms of athleticism and range, which can quietly swing momentum by turning potential hits into outs.

Guardians vs Cardinals: Guardians (-102)

Guardians win probability: 49%

The Cleveland Guardians' biggest advantage is pitching depth and run prevention. Getting Slade Cecconi to work efficiently and keep traffic off the bases can force a St. Louis Cardinals lineup that can be inconsistent to string together clean, extended rallies.

That’s where the Guardians typically excel by turning games into low-scoring, high-pressure situations.

Red Sox vs Twins: Twins (+113)

Twins win probability: 46%

Pitching is the key here. If Simeon Woods Richardson can get ahead in counts and limit hard contact, it puts pressure on a Boston Red Sox lineup that can be dangerous but also streaky. 

The Minnesota Twins may be behind the 8-ball against Red Sox starter Connelly Early, but the rookie southpaw hasn't gone deep into his starts, failing to finish the fifth in back-to-back outings. Boston's bullpen has a respectable 3.58 ERA, but the 5.10 xFIP suggests its luck may soon run out.

Royals vs Tigers: Tigers (-126)

Tigers win probability: 55%

Offensively, the Detroit Tigers don’t need to overpower; they just need to stay disciplined. Timely hitting and situational execution can exploit a Kansas City Royals squad that occasionally struggles to put hitters away.

Guys like Spencer Torkelson can capitalize with runners on base, and that’s often enough to swing the game.

Another key factor is game flow. If the Tigers grab an early lead, they can lean on their bullpen to shorten the game and keep Kansas City from finding rhythm late.

Nationals vs Pirates: Pirates (-178)

Pirates win probability: 62%

The Pittsburgh Pirates can manufacture runs with speed, situational hitting, and timely extra-base knocks.

With Mason Montgomery opening ahead of Carmen Mlodzinski on the mound, the Pirates need a composed outing between them. If they can limit damage and avoid big innings, it puts the burden on a Washington Nationals offense that has struggled with consistency. Keeping Washington from stringing hits together is key.

Giants vs Reds: Reds (-102)

Reds win probability: 50%

The Cincinnati Reds thrive on speed and aggression, and they can turn singles into scoring opportunities quickly by pushing the pace on the basepaths. That style can disrupt a San Francisco Giants pitching staff that prefers to stay in control and limit chaos.

Getting players like Elly De La Cruz on base early can immediately put stress on both the pitcher and defense.

Cubs vs Phillies: Cubs (+124)

Cubs win probability: 44%

The Chicago Cubs have a balanced offensive attack that blends power with on-base consistency. This is pivotal against a Philadelphia Phillies pitching staff that can be vulnerable when forced into high-leverage situations. If hitters stay patient and avoid chasing, it opens the door for crooked numbers.

Angels vs Yankees: Angels (+167)

Angels win probability: 38%

Offensively, the Los Angeles Angels have tapped into the long ball in 2026, leading the American League with 26 home runs in 18 games.

That includes opening last night's game against the New York Yankees with three big flies in the first inning. With Luis Gil looking rough around the edges in his first start of the season, allowing a home run and three walks in four innings, the potential is there for another early Halos lead en route to a victory.

Marlins vs Braves: Braves (-167)

Braves win probability: 61%

The Atlanta Braves benefit from depth. Whether it’s lineup production or bullpen support, they have more ways to sustain momentum throughout the game compared to a Miami Marlins team that often relies on smaller margins.

If Atlanta gets rolling early and forces Miami to play from behind, their combination of power and lineup versatility gives it a clear path to securing the win.

Rays vs White Sox: Rays (-113)

Rays win probability: 53%

Whether it’s a solid start on the mound or a bullpen-heavy approach, the Tampa Bay Rays are well-equipped to mix and match, keeping Chicago White Sox hitters off balance.

Tampa Bay consistently does the little things well by moving runners, taking extra bases, and limiting defensive mistakes, which can be the difference in a tightly contested matchup.

Blue Jays vs Brewers: Blue Jays (-118)

Blue Jays win probability: 53%

The Toronto Blue Jays have a league-best 18% strikeout rate, meaning the lineup sustains pressure from top to bottom, which can wear Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Chad Patrick down over the course of the game.

Patrick is a pitch-to-contact hurler who has found success in limited action to start the season, with a 0.73 ERA across 12 1/3 innings. However, his 4.30 FIP and 9.8% K-rate are worrying. The Blue Jays counter with prized offseason addition Dylan Cease, who gives Toronto the clear advantage.

Rockies vs Astros: Astros (-179)

Astros win probability: 63%

The Houston Astros work counts, hit for power, and punish mistakes. The Colorado Rockies' pitching staff is already poor (understatement), so a productive Houston lineup only makes matters worse.

On the mound, the Astros typically bring a clear advantage, even if Spencer Arrighetti isn't the most reliable arm in their rotation.

Mariners vs Padres: Padres (-109)

Padres win probability: 51%

When the San Diego Padres' middle-of-the-order bats get going, they’re capable of stacking extra-base hits and applying pressure on opposing pitching staffs.

While Seattle Mariners starter Emerson Hancock has thrived this season, his pitch-to-contact approach can result in some ugly results, as evidenced by his 4.90 ERA in 2025.

Rangers vs Athletics: Rangers (+108)

Rangers win probability: 48%

The Texas Rangers turn to Kumar Rocker to right the ship tonight, and he should have help from the lineup. 

Despite losing last night, the Rangers have a decent road record (6-5) and have top performers like Brandon Nimmo, Jake Burger, and Corey Seager, who have combined for 11 home runs this season and have a prime setting at Sutter Health Park to do more damage against A's starter J.T. Ginn.

Mets vs Dodgers: Dodgers (-208) 

Dodgers win probability: 67%

We get a double dose of Shohei Ohtani tonight, as he brings his fastball that has averaged 97.7 mph since last season, placing him in the 98th percentile among MLB starters. That kind of power plays up even more in familiar surroundings, where command and confidence tend to sharpen.

With that arsenal working behind him, Ohtani is well-positioned to neutralize the New York Mets once again and dictate the tone of the matchup from the start. He'll be anchoring the offense, too, so the Los Angeles Dodgers are understandably heavy favorites in Chavez Ravine.

Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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